Woking residents to be asked what services they want to keep

Residents will be asked what services they value most as Woking Borough Council undergoes a “full restructure” to become smaller – and cheaper.

Woking bosses began discussions with representatives from the public sector union Unison before it issued its section 114 notice when it effectively declared itself bankruptcy.

The move is part of a series of measures designed to make it a “smaller council” as part of its pathway out of its expected £2.6billion debt.

It will soon start consulting residents on what services should be spared the deepest and harshest of cuts.

The council has said it is part of the process of demonstrating to government that everything is being done to cut spending ahead of any bailout request.

A spokesperson for Woking Borough Council said it would “inevitably mean that the organisation will be smaller” and that it understood these were “unsettling times” for its staff.

Jenny Mason is the Unison regional representative for Woking. She said that, despite the looming threat of major job cuts it maintained a “good relationship” with the council.

She said: “Discussions have been going on with senior management for a long time before the announcement was made because they knew the section 114 notice was coming”.

The debts were amassed primarily on the back of massive borrowing between 2016- 19 to pay for regeneration projects such as Victoria Place and Sheerwater.

Mrs Mason added: “They have been open and honest and invited individuals to the staff briefing. It will be a full council restructure they are looking at.

“Staff are understandably concerned and upset. The financial situations has been semi-known. There are concerns about what the future of Woking Borough Council will be like.”

She said the council is doing “everything it can” to help staff including “scheduling training events and working together with the union.”

At this stage there have been no formal consultations held with staff, or proposals shared with the union as the council looks to consult with residents over the services they want to keep – and those to chop.

Ms Mason said: “Internally, staff structures are all under review.

“In terms of services we just don’t know”, when or where the axe will fall.

Councils in Surrey operate under a two-tier system, with the larger county council responsible for things that impact the region more widely, such as transport, fire and rescue, education and social care.

Cuts would only impact council services the borough provide.

Some have to be provided by borough councils by law. These ‘statutory’ services include things such as planning and waste management, but not for example public toilets or arts and museums funding.

Even within statutory services there is scope for cut backs – for example they could reduce the frequency waste and recycling is collected or scale back the planning department.

A Woking Borough Council spokesperson said: “The council has undertaken a comprehensive review of its services and activities to identify savings that will bridge the £10 million budget shortfall for 2024/25.

“We recognise that we cannot afford to deliver the current range of services and significant rationalisation must be delivered at pace.

“This will inevitably mean that the organisation will be smaller.

“We understand that these are unsettling times for our staff, and we remain committed to working in partnership with our workforce to ensure the best outcome for local residents.

“In the coming weeks, we will be asking residents what services they value the most so they can help us shape a leaner council.

“Details of the consultation will be announced in the coming weeks.”